A former U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel is seeking a rematch against the incumbent Texas state representative for House District 5 in northeast Texas.
Dewey Collier is a “constitutional conservative” who served in the army for over 25 years. Although he lost his Republican Primary against State Rep. Cole Hefner (R-Mt. Pleasant) in 2022, Collier is running again due to Hefner’s latest actions in the House.
Collier’s background includes working in real estate and healthcare. He is a registered nurse and believes that has allowed him to understand the “intricacies” of the health system.
“With a strong track record of community service and a deep understanding of the issues that matter most to our constituents, Collier brings a fresh perspective and a wealth of ideas to the campaign trail,” his campaign statement reads.
His biography on his campaign website says he is “passionate about the freedoms of all Texans, those born and unborn” and “will fight for the Constitution to be upheld.”
His priorities focus on conservative issues, including:
- State sovereignty
- Freezing the state budget
- Eliminating homestead property taxes
- Eliminating taxpayer funding of medical and psychological gender mutilation for both minors and adults
- Eliminating taxpayer-funded lobbying
- Defending religious freedom
- Defending and securing the Texas border
- Defending families in a hostile world
- 100 percent pro-life from conception to a natural death
- Pro-second amendment
Collier highlighted Hefner’s recent vote record, which includes a vote for House Speaker Dade Phelan (R–Beaumont). Collier says Hefner has also “indicated he still supports him and will not call for him to vacate the Speakership nor will he vote to remove him.”
Additionally, despite the Texas GOP overwhelmingly opposing placing Democrats in leadership positions in the Texas Legislature, Hefner has supported the practice under Phelan.
Hefner is also one of the House Republicans that voted to impeach Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
In his campaign statement, Collier says he plans to actively engage with the community, listen to their concerns, and share his visions for the future of Texas.
“As an advocate for fiscal responsibility, individual freedoms, and liberty principles, he aims to find common-sense solutions to the challenges facing our great state and House District 5,” Collier’s statement concludes.
Texas Scorecard reached out to Hefner’s office for comment; however, as of publication, no response was received.
